Advocacy

Protect Affordable Housing

No surprise – housing is the single largest expense for older households, and the cost is a particularly serious problem for those who rent. That’s why AARP Massachusetts is fighting to protect affordable housing in the Bay State. Opponents of the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Law, known as Chapter 40B, are close to successfully placing a question on the November ballot, aimed at repealing the law.

“Repealing the affordable housing law will move Massachusetts in the wrong direction,” said AARP Massachusetts State Director Deborah Banda. “Instead of backtracking, let’s look for ways to protect affordable housing options – and help elder homeowners remain independent in their own homes and communities.”

Nearly 40 years ago, the Massachusetts legislature passed this historic housing legislation. The law directed each community to do its fair share to meet the housing needs of its residents. Since then, 58,000 homes have been created for low- and middle-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities all across the state – in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Some facts:

The affordable housing law produces 80% of affordable housing units in Massachusetts.

Since the law’s inception, nearly 58,000 homes have been created statewide, and another 12,000 are approved for construction now. If the law is repealed, these new homes will not be built.

51 municipalities have met the law’s standard of at least 10 percent of affordable housing in each community; this is more than double the number in 1997. Further, an additional 40 communities are close to reaching the 10 percent goal.